The Brighton Magazine

Selected Brighton Magazine Article

"I think 'The Village Green Preservation Society' is about the ending of a time personally for me in my life," says Ray Davies.

"In my imaginary village. It's the end of our innocence, our youth. Some people are quite old but in the Village Green, you're never allowed to grow up. I feel the project itself as part of a life cycle."

Created in difficult circumstances by a band on the verge of disintegration and who refused to follow fashion, it is an album of timeless, crafted songs about growing up and growing old, and the decline of national culture and traditional ways.

Included in the soon to be released 50th anniversary edition (released on 26th October 2018) of the album are many previously unreleased tracks and versions, including the previously unreleased track Time Song.

Despite never been included on a release, Time Song was performed by The Kinks at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in January 1973, celebrating Britain's entry into the Common Market.

"When we played a concert at Drury Lane in '73 to "celebrate" us about to join what was called The Common Market, I decided to use the song as a warning that time was running out for the old British Empire." Says Ray.

"This song was recorded a few weeks later but never made the final cut on the Preservation Act I album.

Oddly enough, the song seems quite poignant and appropriate to release at this time in British history, and like Europe itself the track is a rough mix which still has to be finessed."

The deluxe box set includes extensive sleeve notes, interviews, photography and specially created online & press content "telling the story" of the album's production, release and cultural impact.

Also included are two essays on the album written by Pete Townshend and renowned journalist Kate Mossman.

Launching October 4th, there will be an exhibition at London's Proud Central Gallery titled The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society which will run until 18th November 2018.

The exhibition will display a selection of rare collector's items including specially commissioned artworks by members of the band and vintage memorabilia, together with a collection of photographs documenting this period in the band's history.

Each work is hand-signed by surviving band members Ray Davies, Dave Davies and Mick Avory – visit www.proud.co.uk for more info.

Brighton-based musician, promoter and studio owner, Stuart Avis, recently sat down with Steve Hackett, who, as one fifth of Genesis during their 1970's prime prog phase, has gone on to build himself a reputation as one of rock's leading and most innovative guitarists.

The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff is the story of one man's adventure from begging on the streets in the north of England to fighting against fascism in the Spanish Civil War, taking in the Hunger Marches and the Battle of Cable Street.

In 1978, after having sold millions of records and become one of the biggest international artists of the 1970s, Cat Stevens decided to step out of the rock star spotlight and walk away. That year, he was to release his final album under that name.

Creators of stage showWild, Laura Mugridge and Katie Villa, want us to think about that thing we have all been through, but very few of us talk about, through a bold, riotous and strikingly visual show.

Brooklyn-based band Air Waves' new album, Warrior, is about being a Warrior in a queer body in this political climate, lead-singer Nicole Schneit's mother being a Warrior fighting chemotherapy, and being a Warrior in relationships.

Written just a year apart, Lone Star in 1979, Laundry & Bourbon in 1980, the plays share the same setting, themes and connected characters and, not surprisingly, are usually presented on the same bill.